Formerly a stagecoach stop on the Bradshaw Trail, owned by Dr. Isaac Smith, the ranch became a hotel turned health resort by Fred S. Hirsch and his brother William in 1927.
The property, now under the care of Highland Springs president Tina Kummerle, encompasses 2400 acres and comprises one of California’s largest organic lavender farms, a restaurant, inn, and camp.
[2][3] Spanish explorers first visited the area surrounding Highland Springs, known as San Gorgonio Rancho, with missionaries in the late 1700s.
[5] According to historian Ken Edwards, Paulino acquired Rheumatoid Fever and was nursed to health by a passerby named Dr. Isaac Smith.
[6] Edward’s asserts that Smith was ultimately gifted one-third of the interest of the San Gorgonio property, then was later transferred ownership of the entire land.
It was also the single connecting line for passenger mail as well as the express travel between Southern California and the eastern regions of the United States, including Yuma, Arizona.
[1] One of the famous visitors of Highland Springs was Albert Einstein, a personal friend of the Hirsch family, who often came to the resort during his visits to Caltech.
[3] Kummerle graduated with a degree in environmental science from Colorado College and has plans to make Highland Springs more sustainably eco-friendly.